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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR CHEERFUL EVENTS IN ILLINOIS

Illinois offers a flurry of festive happenings as popular attractions showcase the spirit of the season – with Chicago leading the way.

One of the most anticipated and visited markets in the city, Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, through to Dec. 24, has already kicked off. Visit this seasonally delightful German heritage festival and bazaar and witness the plaza transformed into a holiday wonderland where you can procure German trinkets and taste delicious holiday fare such as savory sausages and sweet waffles. Be sure to grab a glass of Gluhwein, a traditional German holiday hot spiced wine to please your palate and warm your heart, in a take-home souvenir mug.

Visit the Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier, through to January 3. Navy Pier turns into a magnificent winter spectacle of attractions, food and more. The Winter Wonderfest transports patrons to a land of beautiful, ornate winter scenes and brings the magic of the holidays to life. It’s a great family destination.

Lace up your skates and glide through an ice rink in the heart of the city at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park, open for the winter season until March 14. The scenic rink has been a staple of winter festivities in Chicago for nine years. Afterwards, warm up with some hot chocolate, browse the surrounding shops or stroll through Millennium Park to see how it transforms in the winter months.

Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden as the Wonderland Express returns to the Garden, until January 3. Take a trip through a wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty where 750,000 lights sparkle outside, while inside, a 10,000 square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, past waterfalls and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago?s favorite landmarks. A brand new ice skating rink will be on the Esplanade, or you can snowshoe on the paths of the McDonald Woods.

Nearly 1 million twinkling lights illuminate the zoo’s walkways during Brookfield Zoo’s 28th Annual Holiday Magic, every weekend in December. After visiting Santa at the Candy Cane Corner, enjoy ice-carving demonstrations, magicians and live musical performances, sample holiday treats and browse the gift shops with hundreds of unique items. New this year is the Wild Lights Spectacular light show at Roosevelt Fountain.

Enter a world of exquisite Christmas extravagance at “A Glimpse of Christmas Past” at the Cuneo Museum until December 31. The stunning mansion will be decorated in holiday finery; lights, garland, decorated trees and poinsettias add festive beauty to an already breathtaking backdrop. And the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show at the museum, until January 2, is a Lake County tradition.